How to pronounce squab
Say it like SKWAHB. Squab is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce squab. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SKWAHB
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Squab pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SKWAHBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of squab
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: SKWOB.
What does squab mean?
- A young dove or pigeon.
- A young chicken.
- A young rook.
- To furnish with squabs, or cushions.
- To stuff thickly and sew through, the stitches being concealed by buttons, etc.
- Fat; thick; plump; bulky.
- Unfledged; unfeathered.
- Clumsy.
Where does squab come from?
Unknown. Possibly related to dialectal Swedish skvabb (“fatty, flabby”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with squab
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of squab.
Questions about saying squab
How do you pronounce squab?
Say SKWAHB. The American pronunciation is /skwɑb/. In British English it is /skwɒb/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in squab?
Squab is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SKWAHB.
Is squab pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /skwɒb/ (SKWOB).